Instrument panel



Dec. 4, 1928. x 1,694,006

J. T. FITZSIMMONS INSTRUMENT PANEL Filed Dec. 11, 1925 Patented Dec. 4, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN T. FITZSIMMONS, F DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO DELCO-BEMY CORPORATION, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Application filed December 11, 1925. Serial No. 74.738.

This invention relates to improvements in control panels, and particularly that type of control panel used in connection with motor vehicles and in which there is provided a plurality of switches, each of which is operable to control its individual circuit.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a panel capableof supporting, independently, a plurality of interchangeable switches which are readily removable for replacement purposes. Another object is to provide such a panel with a faceplate that has a finished appearance, even though said panel doesnot contain its full quota of switch elements.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings: v

Fig. 1 is a front view of the control panel;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the control panel;

Fig. 3' is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detailed view of the switch terminals and connecting conductors taken along the line H of Fig. 2; and I Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view showing the filler disc in position inone of the faceplate apertures.

The control panel comprises a supporting plate 20 and'a face-plate 50 adapted to be placed in juxtaposition with the supporting plate and means for clamping the two plates toget er.

The supporting plate 20, as illustrated in the drawing, is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 21, rectangular in shape, said apertures being adapted to receive switch members 22 having a rectangular body portion. When it is desired to utilize. switch members having a different shaped body por tion, the apertures in the supporting plate I. may readily be made to conform to the desired switch.

In Fig. 3, a side elevation of a switch member 22 is shown. At the front of the switch, flanges 21 are provided, the front surface of said flanges being flush with the front face tends through and beyond the front face of the switch. The back of the switch is provided with an insulating cover-plate 24, through which extends the two terminal blades 25 and 26. These blades are provided with suitable connector clips 27 held on said blades by means of studs 28. i

As shown in Fig. 3 the face-plate 50 has its edge curved rearwardly, so that it extends over and beyond the edge of the supporting plate 20. Both of the plates are of similar contour. A fibrous lining 51 is provided on the inner or rear surface of the face-plate, said lining engaging with the front face of the switch members 22 when said face-plate is held in position on the supporting plate 20 by means of screws 52.

Aligned holes in each end of the su porting and face plates, receive screws 53 fhr securing the control panel to any desirable dashboard, or the like.

The face-plate is provided with a plurality of circular apertures 54 equal in number and similarly spaced as the apertures in the supporting plate. When the two plates are held together,-the apertures of both plates are in coaxial alignment.

As shown in Fig. 3, the switch member is shown having its flanges clamped between the fibrous lining on the face-plate and the supporting plate. The body portion of the switch extendsthrough the aperture in the supporting plate, while the operating member 23 of the switch extends through the correspondingapertureinthe face-plate. Where no switch member is provided in the supporting-plate aperture, the aperture in the faceplate is open, giving said plate an unfinished to take a certain number of switches, has only a portion of the switch receptacles filled, the front of said panel or face-plate will not disclose the absence of such switch members, but will appear finished and complete.

Fig. 1 shows a meter inserted in the panel, with a dash-light located just above, and the ignition switch just below. The meter has a flange which is clamped between the two plates, similar to the clamping of the switch flanges. i

@n the back of the supporting plate 20 an insulating plate is held against the back of the meter, by means of screws 31. This plate supports circuit breakers 32, so constructed and arranged as to be connected in the various work circuits as protective devices. Each circuit breaker supports one or more rigid conductors by means of which the various switch members are connectedto the source of current. In Fig. 2, the lower circuit breaker is shown, provided with conduc tors 33 and at extending to the right and left,- respectively. The conductor 33 has two double clips 35 and 36 connected thereto, the clip 35 connecting switch members 22 and 22 to said conductor 33, while the clip 36 connects switch members 22 and 22 thereto. Con ductor 3d has double clips 37 and 38 which connect switch members 22* and 22, as well 2% 22 and 22 to said conductor, respectively. The upper, right circuit breaker 32, as regards Fig. 2, is connected to switches 22 and 22 by conductor 39 and double .clip 40, while the left circuit breaker 32 is connected to switch members 22 and 22 by conductor 41 and double clip 42. Switch 22, for ignition and cowl light 43, is connected directly to terminal at of the meter.

In Fig. 4-, the double clip is shown comprising a main body portion 45 to which is connected the conductor as at -16. Two depending ears 4? are provided, each having a slot 48. The ears 47 are adapted to be inserted between the clip 27 and terminal blade 25 of the respective switches, and held therebetween by stud 28. Terminal 26 of the respective switches is connected to the respective work devices.

The conductors 33, 34, 39 and 4-1 are made of rigid material, so that they will be maintamed in proper position relative to the corc responding aperture in the supporting plate,

if no switch member is provided in that aperture. Thus, for instance, switch members 22 and 22 could be removed and still the conductor 33 would maintain the double clip 36 in proper position relative to the apertures 1n the conducting plate that contained these I switches. The rigidity of the conductors prevents swaying of the clips and possible engagement with any grounding surface,

This device permits easy removal and replacement ofany switch member. Supposneeaooe ing, for instance, that the headlight switch was inoperative and all the others operative: Headlights being necessary and dome-light not, the operator would first remove screws 52 and 53, then remove the face-plate from the supporting plate. He could then disconnect the headlight and dome-light switch from their respective conductors. The domelight switch could then be inserted in the headlight switch aperture, and the panel again assembled and clamped in placeby screws 52 and 53. No taping of terminals is necessary because the rigidity of the conductor would hold the dome light terminal safely out of engagement with any grounding surface. Thus, it can be seen that all of the switch members are interchangeable with a minimum amount of worlr necessary to effect a change. A

While the form of embodiment of themvention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that'other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A control panel comprising in combi-,

be connected with the work devices contained I therein.

2. A control panel comprisin in combination, a mounting plate provide with a pair of apertures; a terminal insulatin ly supported on said plate; a substantiafiy rigid conductor extending from the terminal in spaced relation to the mounting plate and having a portion aligning with the pair of apertures, centrally of the pair; and a double connector clip carried by the conductor and electrically connected therewith adjacent the pair of apertures.

3. A control panel comprising in combination, a mounting plate provided with apertures into which electrical devices are adapted to be inserted from one side of the mounting plate; terminals insulatingly supported on the other side of said plate; and substantially rigid conductors extending ,from said ter-. mmalsin spaced relation to the plate, each conductor having a connector clip located adjacent to an aperture so that the electrical devices when inserted into the apertures from the one side of the plate may be electrically connected with their respective connector clips on the o posite side of said plate.

4. A contro panel comprising in combination, a supporting plate apert-ured to receive on the said conducting wires, each clip being a plurality of electrical switches; circuit held in proper alignment with a respective breakers insulatingly mounted on said supaperture in the supporting plate. 10 porting plate; a substantially stifl' conduct- In testimony whereof I hereto affix my 5 ing wire secured to each circuit breaker and signature.

extending therefrom but spaced from the supporting plate; and connector clips supported JOHN T. FITZSIMMONS. 

